“Yeah, I was here for about a month but I had some stuff I needed to settle.”
“Cool, so what is it like there? I wasn’t sure about going there but everyone talked about how beautiful and peaceful it is.” His name was Jim or maybe Jake, I don’t know. There were over 30 people all gathered on the same little street that I had been on when I first came here. Everyone was chatting and discussing the unknown group that would come to pick them up soon.
It was a little awkward being around so many people here, it felt like I was a grown adult hanging around a middle school. There was a mix of young and old people, a few kids who looked barely eighteen and a couple of people well into their 70’s, some people came in groups while others moved in with the other solos. They had no idea what would happen or where they were going, while I was already in the know about the true nature of the ‘cult’. I answered a few questions about the general nature of the camp but it was difficult to not tell anyone that it was actually an attempt for an alien fungus to grow itself enough to conquer the planet. It was only one thing I had to keep secret but it was a pretty big one.
“Hello all, we are the members of The First Sprout. We will be taking you to the camp, it is a long hike so please be prepared for a several hour walk.”
“We have brought along some extra water and food for when we take a break, so unless there are any questions we will be heading out.”
Scarlette spoke in a similar manner to John and Niki did, the same heavy tone that seemed to echo with more than one voice. Scarlette and Malina walked out of the woods holding hands, while Nate trailed behind with John. They all looked relatively normal compared to the last time I saw them, all skin and flesh with no plant or animal parts to speak of. Although John looked just as big as he did before, even Nate seemed taller too. Malina turned to give me a small smile, seemingly happy that I had returned to the group.
“Yeah, I have a question: is this going to be like a weird free love cult thing or what?”
The guy who spoke up seemed like kind of a douche. I mean I should know that is probably what everyone thought of me when I first got here, but this guy seemed more like a freeloader rather than just a wannabe. But again that is what everyone thought of me so I wanted to give him a chance; If I hadn’t gotten one, I would have probably gone on with my life being the annoying ass that I was before.
“We respect all forms of sexuality, gender, race, and ideology. So while it is not a ‘weird free love cult’ we do allow those that practice polyarmory to be themselves here.”
“Alright, that's fine as long as I don’t have any guys trying to hit on me then we are fine.”
“We are accepting of all people, and we expect all of those that wish to be a part of our little camp to accept them as well. Any intolerance will result in immediate expulsion from the camp, so as long as that is understood then we can begin our hike.”
Everyone started to walk out, Scarlette and Malina leading the group while John and Nate lagged behind. I stayed toward the back to catch up with John about how everything was going at camp and how it was going to work now that I had come back. I wouldn’t mind if they needed some time before they were willing to let Myc bond with me.
But truthfully I wanted to do it sooner rather than later, I had been pretty sure of coming back after just a few days. I had missed the companionship and fresh air, the total lack of true connection even between people who I had been friends with for years. How Malina described their bond with each other just made me realize how little connection I had with anyone else.
“So how have things been going since I left?”
“Plans have moved forward and the camp expanded, but nothing major since you've been gone.”
“Cool, so I wanted to talk about Myc and the bond and…”
“Hold on one second, Oliver.”
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I stopped to see what had made John tense for a single moment, we could still see the street from where we were. John pushed forward into the crowd and grabbed some random guy by the back of the collar. Pulling him to the back with the rest of us, he whispered something in the man’s ear before shoving him forward to follow the rest of the group. John stayed there to watch the man with a stern gaze on his face.
“What was that about?” I asked Nate, still trailing behind the rest of the group with me.
“The man quietly commented on some of the others in the group, John reminded him that we do not take kindly to those unwilling to accept others who wish to be themselves.”
“Oh, anyway. I wanted to talk about Myc and the bond.”
“If you wish to be bonded with the rest of us, you can. Myc just wants to make sure that you are positive that this is what you want.”
“I’m positive, the outside world feels so dull and fake compared to the camp. I tried to make it work at first but everyone is cruel and everything feels tainted.”
“Very well, we can do it later tonight after the others have settled in a little more. It is just we have had some issues with Cat, she is not as accepting of the bond as the rest of us. Myc does not wish to break any bonds if we can help it, so just make sure that this is what you want. It will be permanent and all the positives still come with many negatives, it will not be a perfect utopia. At least not for a while.”
“I am positive, trust me. So how are Niki and the baby? I know it’s only been a little over a month but, with Myc and all I figure it has to come with some challenges.”
“Niki and the baby are both healthy, the fetus has accepted the bond with no issues and Myc is slowly leading its growth in the desired direction.”
“But…” It seemed that Nate was upset about something, his expression betrayed the simple tone of his voice.
“Well, Cat’s reluctance to strengthen her bond has led her to believe that the child is not simply the first hybrid baby, but a simple vessel for Myc to inhabit.”
“That seems wrong, I mean I haven’t actually talked to Myc but from the things you guy can do. If he wanted to I am sure he wouldn’t need a child as a vessel can’t he control your guys limbs and bodies whenever he wants?”
“Yes, she is wrong about Myc’s intentions but doubts and her ignorance about Myc have led to her rejecting his presence. She has made attempts to try to strengthen the bond but her incessant attitude had only increased her worries. We all fear that she will wish for the connection to be broken, Myc will not keep her here if she does not wish it, but we all fear what may happen if a bond is broken.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, I don’t think that I can help. I mean, you know, I am not really part of your whole dynamic so I don’t even truly know what it is like. But I have lost family too, it is hard no matter what the reason is.”
“Just talking is helpful enough, I do not want to lose Cat but I will not force her to stay if she does not wish to.”
We headed back to the camp, it was a dull trip with some complainers along the way. It wasn’t even two months ago that I was them, worrying about my phone. Questioning what was going to be at the end of our little trip. We took a break by the same river, although this time I talked with John and Nate about all the projects they were taking on. The new building for research was nearly complete, the sections for the new fields were set up. Although the concept of mining without actually hitting rock with a pickaxe or machine was a little out there. If it worked out, good for them.
We approached a clearing in the trees, although this was a little further back then when I first came here. The new members all had the same awed expression as we did, granted the site they are seeing is far more impressive then just two weeks since I left.
The new lands that were purchased meant that more and more trees were cut down or moved. Although as Nate mentioned, there were still plenty of trees that occupied the deforested lands. All sprouting from roots of the Mother Tree, the tree was now easily twice the size it was before pushing at least over 60 feet and extremely wide. Whatever Myc was planning it would apparently need a wide base, as the tree looks kind of stout despite its massive height.
“Wow, this place is pretty incredible.”
“Tell me about it.”
“How many people were needed to make this?”
“We currently have 10 full members.”
“Damn, this place is unbelievable.”
“Take some time to wander around and look at the sights. We will be meeting in a few hours at the main camp, just look for the large fire near the tree. We will explain all the specifics at that time, location for sleeping, food, and general activities then. Are there any questions?”
“Is the lake safe to go in?”
“Yes.”
After a few more benign questions all the new members headed off to look around the strange little town. Cat had continued her painting of nearly every new house or building that was finished. All resembling different plants, climates, and environments. I was assigned a cabin towards the center, catching up with Malina and Scarlette as I moved the few things I was willing to take with me. It seemed that Scarlette wasn’t into monogamy so after a practice bout with John, Malina and Scarlette hit it off when they tried practicing some moves. Nate seemed fine with the whole arrangement and from what I could gleam they were all pretty happy with how everyone was settling in.
After a few hours of catching up and rearranging my new cabin we all gathered around the fire pit to have dinner and talk. John and Niki went through the whole introduction again, everyone was free for a week then the chores would come. After a while if they felt they could trust you then you would gain full membership allowing you a cabin. Granted they again failed to mention the fact that to be a full member you had to be infected with an alien parasite. If it went as well as it did with us then nearly 80% of them would become full members, although I was kind of doubting that.
We ate and talked, asking questions about the camp and what there was to do. Trading names, although I missed basically all of them. Then as dinner ended everyone set off to their bunks while John brought me around to start the bond. It worked the same as when Malina did it, a cut on both our hands and a weird suction feeling.
Hello Oliver, it is a pleasure to finally meet you.